Author Archives: Miller

Our Mother of Perpetual Help School Rallies Donors to Contribute in Excess of $145,000 through Extraordinary Give

Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata made quite the debut in its foray into the Extraordinary Give last month. The PreK-8 school rang up an astounding $145,127 in Lancaster County’s annual day of giving on Nov. 20. The one-day marathon inspires donors to make online contributions to boost local non-profits and schools at the start of the holiday season. The event is an initiative of the Lancaster County Community Foundation.

Faculty, students and parents reveled as they watched the donations climb, and rejoiced in seeing the support for their school.

Diocesan Youth Council Offers Christmas Gifts to Guests of Cathedral’s Meal Program

Three days before a snow storm encased central Pennsylvania in nearly two feet of snow, teenagers with the Diocesan Youth Council spread some warm holiday cheer to several dozen guests of the Cathedral Parish’s Sunday evening meal in Harrisburg.

Stationed behind tables stacked with Christmas gifts, cookies and hot chocolate, the teens offered the presents and treats to nearly 50 men and women on Dec. 13.

Film Chronicles Life and Legacy of Father Patrick Peyton, ‘The Rosary Priest’

The life of Father Patrick Peyton, an Irish-American priest who traveled the world hosting hundreds of Rosary rallies and encouraging families to pray together, is the subject of a new film now available for online purchase.

The documentary-style film “PRAY: The Story of Patrick Peyton,” includes footage of Father Peyton, who lived from 1909-1992, as well as interviews with those who knew him.

A Letter from Bishop Gainer on COVID Vaccines

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
As our world continues to suffer due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I ask that you join me in continuing to pray for an end to this pandemic. I also ask that you continue to offer prayers and gratitude for those in medical and emergency response professions. Their efforts have been nothing short of heroic during this year.

Diocesan Student Named Finalist in Christmas Artwork Contest

Rose Burns, a student at St. Leo the Great School in Rohrerstown, was selected from among thousands of young artists as one of 24 finalists in the 2019-2020 national Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Christmas Artwork Contest.

Typically, winners’ artwork is displayed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., throughout the Advent/Christmas season, complete with an awards ceremony at the Shrine. However, it will look a little different this year.

Knights Present Mass Kits, Sick Call Set in Memory of Deceased Members

Father Vincent R. Capodanno Assembly 3167 of the Knights of Columbus honored two of their deceased members by presenting Mass kits in each of their names to be used by priests serving in Uganda.

Presented in memory of Sir Knight Stephen Reed and Sir Knight Ernest A. DeFrank, Jr., by Robert P. Hawley, Faithful Navigator of Assembly 3167, the kits were gifted to Father Bernard Wamayose, A.J., pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Harrisburg and a member of the Apostles of Jesus. Father Wamayose will facilitate delivery of the kits to two priests of his congregation serving in Uganda – Father Raphael Owori and Father Bernard Bubolo.

New Regional Youth Ministry Program Gets Underway in Lancaster County

Spearheading a new, regional youth ministry program in Lancaster County, coordinator Kim Moore was eager to develop one that would draw in teens from upwards of 20 parishes while complementing already-existing programs and assisting parishes that don’t offer one.

A former youth minister at Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Mount Joy for eight years, and the mother of five children, Moore has been ready to jump back into leading icebreakers, prayer, activities, group discussion and catechesis with teens since considering a regional program months ago.

Pope Francis Proclaims Year of St. Joseph

Pope Francis announced a Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church.

The year begins Dec. 8, 2020, and concludes on Dec. 8, 2021, according to a decree authorized by the pope.

The decree said that Pope Francis had established a Year of St. Joseph so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.”

Catholic Charities Presents Annual ‘Come and See’ Fundraiser via Video Premiere

As the premier fundraising event for Catholic Charities, the annual ‘Come and See’ dinner provides a crucial means of support for the organization’s three homes for healing. Each autumn, the event raises much-needed financial support for the Interfaith Shelter for Homeless Families, Lourdeshouse Maternity Home, and Evergreen House for women in recovery.

This year’s fundraiser is exponentially critical to meet not only the needs of the programs and the men, women and children who seek assistance, but in addressing additional challenges in light of the ongoing pandemic.

Priest Communicator for Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia Dies

Father John Fields, an archpriest of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who was communication director for the archeparchy, died at his home Nov. 28. He was 70.